Coaster reviews

Theming Comfort Layout Intensity

Worst part about this ride is the shallow drops. I don’t need inversions, hangtime, etc, but I do enjoy some good airtime and drops. This ride is definitely a family coaster, and the lack of intensity brings it down just a little too much. As a Disney fan, I do appreciate the theming and history of the ride, but as a coaster fan I can’t quite bring it up to that level.

Theming Comfort Smoothness Dead spots Intensity

The better space mountain between both coasts, yet still not the best coaster. It’s a fun ride, and it’s more enjoyable than it looks on paper, but the drops aren’t amazing. It’s older, and the dead spots are noticeable. The on-ride audio and space effects inside the ride building are what makes this ride better than it’s florida counterpart. That, and the trains are comfortable. Ride still holds up after 40 years.

Theming Smoothness Too short Capacity

This is one of Magic Kingdom’s better coasters, I would even venture to say it’s good moments are better than any other coaster in the park. It’s too short, and it’s good moments aren’t really long enough to thoroughly enjoy. The swinging of the cars is a nice touch, and a ride system I’ve never seen before. Smooth as butter, and the theming is of course spectacular. I’d say it’s not worth more than a 30 minute wait, and this ride garners long wait times. Usually around 75 minutes all day during the summer.

First Drop Smoothness Hangtime Too short Capacity

The first drop on this thing surprised me, and is one of the more intense drops that I’ve been on. The vertical drop coupled with the hang time towards the end really make for a fun experience. I wish the ride were longer, but being indoors I understand the duration. Ride ops can be slow, which makes for longer wait times. It’s smooth and comfortable, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Inversions Intensity Layout Headbanging Discomfort

An Arrow looper, and a unique design through a canyon and inside a dome. Yes it’s fun, and tracing above the walkways of the Adventuredome is exciting, but the ride is pretty uncomfortable. The trains are tight, and unless you sit in an odd number row, you’re not getting much leg room. Wait times are low, and I think the long trains running two at a time makes for higher capacity. If it wasn’t for the location, this layout wouldn’t be much to write home about. The inversions are intense and fun, which makes for the best part of the ride.

Location Disappointing! Pointless Dead spots

A lengthy kiddie, but not a great Arrow. Overall, the ride is pretty lame. Even for a kiddie coaster, it doesn’t offer much, and I think most kids can handle a lot more. The scenic trek through the hills of Valencia are a nice touch, but that’s about all this ride offers.

Inversions Pace Intensity Layout

The off-the-shelf Batman coaster that you see at most Six Flags parks. It’s a fun ride, it really has some great moments. It’s fast paced and intense, and I grey out on it depending on where I’m sitting. Either way, it’s an enjoyable experience. I really don’t think the head banging is all that bad, the worst part is probably just the generic layout.

Airtimes Intensity Duration Capacity

Can’t stress enough how slow the ride ops here are. They could be a lot faster, and the fact that they aren’t is disappointing. It’s a fun woodie that goes across much of the park, which is fun. The coaster is long, and the constant drops really keep you engaged the whole time. It’s rough, but it’s not unbearable.

Airtimes Location Comfort Capacity

100 years old and this ride is still hitting all the right notes. It’s classic, it’s scenic, and it offers great airtimes and headchoppers that still get my adrenaline going every time. The first time I went to the Boardwalk I rode it 18 times with my friend, and that’s something I’ll remember forever. A must do if you’re in Santa Cruz.

Theming Layout Rattle Discomfort

The first tubular steel coaster built in 1959 is exactly what you would expect. The updated trains don’t do much to help the bumpiness and uncomfortableness, but it’s a classic coaster with some great theming and views of Disneyland. It’s nostalgic, Harold the abominable snowman is updated, and the ride is enjoyable despite the roughness, and I hope they never get rid of it. The left side is definitely faster and sharper on the turns.

Theming Location Discomfort Pointless Layout

A better wild mouse coaster is really all this guy is. It’s a fun ride that offers great views of the pier, especially at night. The turns along the top part of the track are actually pretty cool, swinging out over the edge to give you the feeling that you might fall off. If you’ve ridden any other wild mouse, it’s the same as those but with some more theming to compliment the ride. Not a great attraction for tall people, and the ride vehicles were made for kids or something because these things never fit two people even remotely comfortably.

Theming Launch Too short Discomfort Dead spots

This ride comes in an era where Universal really didn’t get the whole coaster thing, and it shows. The ride is very short, with minimal storytelling once it gets going. The ending comes about way too quickly, and it really throws the pacing off. You basically do the same layout twice, the second time backwards, which is kind of cool. Uncomfortable seats, some of the worst I’ve seen aside from Vekoma trains. I’ve heard the Orlando version is better, so I’ll have to make a trip out there to try it out someday. It’s a fun ride for a 15 minute wait or less.

Pace Intensity Rattle Discomfort

This is one of the faster woodies I’ve ever ridden, and the speed run through the station is a nice touch. It’s fast and fun, which makes for a good ride experience. The absolute worst part about this ride is the rattle and discomfort. Honestly, without those things this coaster would be considerably higher on my list. It’s painful to ride, sometimes worse than the Matterhorn at Disneyland. The speed coupled with the discomfort makes it worse, hitting harder on the turns than some other uncomfortable coasters. It’s still enjoyable if you can get past the jerkiness, but it needs some TLC.

Location Smoothness Duration Dead spots

This is the only B&M standup I’ve ever ridden, but I had a great experience. I was expecting an uncomfortable experience, and based on what I had heard that would be the case. But, I was pleasantly surprised by the restraints. It’s smooth, it’s got a couple good inversions, and ultimately it’s a cool feeling to be standing up on a roller coaster. I think if it was just a little bit longer it might start to be uncomfortable, so the duration it is is just enough to be enjoyable.

Location Launch Too short Capacity

The draw of the ride is the launch, and it packs a punch. The views at 415’ are great, if you were only up there for longer than two short seconds (try Lex Luther Drop of Doom). The 90° drop has just about no airtime and there’s not much to the ride after the 0-120 launch. Slow loader which creates super long lines.

Theming Launch Duration Airtimes

Pleasantly surprised throughout my entire experience. Of course Disney, theming is second to none. The rich theming here is no exception. I was immersed in the story, and the ride was very well done. The uniqueness of the trains and the way they spin while moving through the track was awesome. The bank turns we’re surprisingly fun, I think it might’ve been nice to have just an inversion or two.

Theming Lap Bar Layout Inversions

This ride is one of Disney’s best coasters, and the theming is the icing on the cake. The restraints are comfortable, there’s plenty of leg room for tall guys like me, and it has a reridability factor that sometimes Disney coasters lack. Going backwards after the lift hill was exciting, and you surprisingly experience some gs on the helix inside the mountain. The drop midway through is not on par with RMC or some of those bigger thrills, but it does pack a bigger pinch than you might expect. I rode this coaster 3 times during my day in Animal Kingdom, and it didn’t disappoint.

Theming Comfort Smoothness Intensity

This ride pleasantly surprised me. I was expecting a typical kiddie coaster, but Slinky Dog is definitely a family coaster, and one of the best Disney has to offer. Both the main hills offer great views of Hollywood Studios, and the mid course launch is a nice which keeps you engaged. I really liked this ride and would definitely ride again.

Theming Inversions Launch Dead spots

A coaster I was not expecting to like as much as I did. A vekoma LSM, this ride’s layout is a typical vekoma. Thoigh there are only two inversions, they’re pretty fun and you could grey out on the cork screw, especially if you sit in the back. I rode this ride both in the front, middle, and back, and you get the best views from the front, but the most intensity in the back. It rattles a little, but very good for Vekoma standards. Highly recommend you ride this if you’re at Disney.

Location Layout Duration Capacity Dead spots

I just did this alpine coaster today, and it’s one of my favorites. The scenery through the lower smoky mountains is beautiful, and a lot of the turns and helixes offer great views overlooking the valley. The capacity isn’t great, you can expect to wait 30 minutes or so on average. Alpine coasters are always a lot of fun, and this one is no exception. It’s around 8 minutes, and it’s offers three lift hills. This is a must-do if you’re in headed to Dollywood, or just if you’re in the Tennessee area.

Airtimes Inversions Fun

Arguably the best RMC, this coaster does not disappoint. I’ve ridden this ride a few different times, and every time I do I get a different experience than the time before. When the ride ops are moving fast, you’ll get to duel with the other train and share some inversions, which is unique to TC and a really fun feature. The drop Thea Econ’s time around is phenomenal, and the hang time/airtime you get throughout the ride makes it fun. A solid coaster all the way around.

Capacity Disappointing! Pointless

A kiddie coaster that offers virtually nothing fun for anyone over the age of 5 or under the age of 75. It’s a slow loader, old, and is kind of sad looking. It would be great if they tore this coaster down and added a fun flat ride in this area.

Location Launch Hangtime Capacity Reliability

A fun coaster that really compliments the park (when it’s working) nicely. There’s excellent hang time, and it’s location in the park is unmatched, offering great views over the front entrance and main gate. This ride always seems to be closed when I go now, and for that it ranks a bit lower on my scale.

Airtimes First Drop Smoothness Dead spots Reliability

This is one of Discovery Kingdom’s best coasters, and far superior to its predecessor Roar. This is one of the smaller RMC remodels, but it packs a punch and is enjoyable throughout. There’s solid airtime, some intense moments, and a first drop that is pleasantly surprising. The worst part about this ride is the reliability. California has provision in place which only permits rides to a certain speed for safety reasons. When the track gets too much moisture (as it often does in the Bay Area), they have to close the ride. This happens a lot throughout the day, and it can be quite annoying to wait in line just for it to close down. That, and the fact that it doesn’t stack up to some of the other RMC’s, but a fun ride that I always enjoy.

Rattle Too short Harness

A Vekoma Boomerang that lives down to the name. This off-the-shelf copy is just as rough as all of its counterparts, and the uncomfortability of both the seats and the harnesses is the cherry on top to a ride that disappoints every time.

Comfort Fun Intensity

It’s hard for me to give a ride 5 stars, but this one deserves it. Arguably the best roller coaster in California, and one of the best I’ve ever been on, I can’t say enough good things about it. A B&M flying coaster, this ride has quality written all over it. A must do if you’re at Magic Mountain, and one to re-ride for sure.

Launch Intensity Hangtime Too short Capacity

This was my first experience on a Premier Sky Rocket, and it was better than I thought. The cobra roll is intense and offers a lot of hang time, the launch is a fun surprise, and having just the lap bar makes it better than some of its counterparts. u fortunately, the low capacity and shortness of the ride brings it down for me. Expect long waits for a ride with only one train, and only 12 riders per train.

Airtimes Inversions Smoothness

Having lived in California my whole life, SFDK was my home park. This coaster never disappoints. It’s fun, smooth, fairly lengthy, and offers some fun inversions/intensity. It’s a B&M, which means you know it’s going to be a smooth ride. A fun ride that’s enjoyable all the way through.

Capacity Launch Duration Harness Airtimes Intensity

This was my first roller coaster with an inversion, and the first “big” ride I ever rode. I was 5 the first time I went on it, back when it was still California Screamin’. The ride is fun, and the views of the Pier and DCA are unmatched. There’s not much airtime, aside from the second drop and some bunny hills toward the end of the ride. For these reasons, the lack of intensity brings this rating down, but it’s a fun starter coaster for youngsters and still adds some level of thrill that everyone can enjoy. I have to say I don’t enjoy the returning, and the old 1920s pier theme was way better, but maybe that’s just my nostalgia kicking in.